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Little Lake, Ontario, Canada

When Thoreau wrote about Walden Pond, he obviously didn’t know about Little Lake. For this small lake in Ontario’s Rideau Lakes area could certainly inspire prose. The less-than-200-acre lake lies about three miles east of the eastern tip of Clear Lake and two miles west of the village of Elgin, yet is almost totally unpopulated. A small number of cottages grace the two-mile shoreline. Little Lake is…
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    • All About Little Lake, ON

    Lake Locations: Canada - Ontario, Canada -

    When Thoreau wrote about Walden Pond, he obviously didn’t know about Little Lake. For this small lake in Ontario’s Rideau Lakes area could certainly inspire prose. The less-than-200-acre lake lies about three miles east of the eastern tip of Clear Lake and two miles west of the village of Elgin, yet is almost totally unpopulated. A small number of cottages grace the two-mile shoreline. Little Lake is located in Ontario’s Rideau Lakes region, which includes hundreds of lakes, some with several thousand acres. In an area focused on watersports, Little Lake is virtually un-discovered. The quiet lake is the perfect spot for solitude lovers; one could write, paint, or photograph nature inspired by the unspoiled surroundings throughout all the seasons.

    Little official information for Little Lake is available. We know that the Province of Ontario considers Little Lake prime black crappie waters. Locals say it also contains pike, perch, bullheads, sunfish and shiners. Cottage owners advertising rentals on the lake describe the lake as ideal for swimming, fishing and water skiing. They also talk of the opportunity for solitude on the nearly deserted lake. The Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre lists a Little Lake Wetland Complex around the lake with five distinctive areas of wetland habitat, however the wetland is not developed for visitor interpretation and there is no public access. The Cataraqui Trail follows the old Canadian National rail bed along the north shore of the lake for nearly a half-mile. Trail users comment that it’s a great spot to stop and picnic while enjoying the scenery. The Cataraqui Trail is a four-seasons trail open for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding and, in some areas, snowmobiling.

    The majority of the Little Lake shoreline is private woodland or marsh. Only one road leads to the north shore from Clear Lake Road. Another small road leads through a farmyard and fields to cottages on the south shore. The entire area is a part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, revered for its diverse geology and variety of natural habitat.

    But even Thoreau would agree that solitude is only valuable when one can return to civilization on occasion. At Little Lake, civilization is only a couple of short miles away. The town of Elgin on Highway 15 offers grocery stores, restaurants and medical services. Elgin was one of the first settlements in the township and retains many historic buildings. A walking tour is available and would provide inspiration for any aspiring author who retired to Little Lake to write the great Canadian historical novel! Even the most reclusive student of nature needs a place where he can drop into a small cafe for coffee with the locals on occasion.

    Visitors looking for larger water bodies to enjoy will find that the Rideau Waterway is only a few miles away. Water access, including boat rentals and cruises, can be scheduled in Newboro. The hiking enthusiast may choose to trek the Cataraqui Trail to Chaffeys Lock only a couple of hours walk away. Smiths Falls is 22 miles up the trail in the opposite direction. Driving and cycling tours can be personalized from any of the more well-known locations near the Rideau Canal, including Elgin. What better way to enjoy nature while exploring the area?

    Vacation rentals exist on Little Lake, but with a limited number of lakefront cottages, advance reservations will be necessary. Other rentals can be found around Elgin and the Rideau Waterway, including hotels and motels, bed-and-breakfasts, fishing camps and resorts. Real estate may be possible in the area but perhaps not directly on Little Lake. So, schedule your visit and bring your gear for your favorite hobby, be it fishing, photography or water skiing. Like Thoreau, discover the truth in this quote, “An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” You’ll be up at dawn with the loons and the herons to enjoy every minute of every single day at Little Lake.

    Things to Do at Little Lake

    These are some activities in the Little Lake, ON area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Water Skiing
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Snowshoeing
    • Horseback Riding

    What Kind of Fish Are in Little Lake?

    Little Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Black Crappie
    • Carp
    • Crappie
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Sunfish
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    Find Places to Stay at Little Lake

    If you’re considering a Little Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Little Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Little Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Little Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Shoreline Length: 2 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 419 feet

    Maximum Depth: 60 feet

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Little Lake Map

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